Barr Camp

Today my running partner Kim and I made plans to hike to Barr Camp.  Since this was my first time up to Barr Camp, I found it to be an interesting hike.

Kim and I planed to meet at 7am.  We ended up parking together and gearing up at the cars. Very glad I decided to bring my layers.

As you can see it is sunny my Jeep said it was 40 degrees out.  We started out to Barr Camp via the Incline. 

It was a little crowded today even at 7am, but we made our way up.  Today I got to the top in 59 minutes. Kimmy was not to far behind me.  I ran into an old coworker and he took a picture for us, to document our journey.

On the way to Barr Camp after going the extended route. Four miles to go, sounds easy right? Pfh, did I mention that you gain another 1,800 feet in elevation?

Almost there! Why am I doing squats? I only have another 1.5 miles to go till we get to Barr Camp.

At last! Barr Camp covers 2 acres and has a small house that has snacks and drinks for purchase.  After Kim and I had a snickers bar some water and a trip to the Loo, we headed back down.

I decided that I wanted to climb on top of this rock and pose. I must say that this picture rocks!



”I run in the snow, rain, wind and heat. I run until I cannot run anymore then I run some more. I run thru the blur of tears, the aches and pains and then I keep going. I have more running clothes than some running stores, I know Fartklet does not mean like it sounds. I go to bed at 9pm; I get up early just to do it all over again. Why do I do this? Because I am a runner and that's who I am"

Addictions lead to withdrawls

I made a decision to take a few days of from my running and let my legs heal.  My left shin has been giving me a little trouble when I am running down hill, so I figured a few days off from running would do me some good. 

Like an addict, when you don't feed your addiction you get withdrawals.  All you think about is when you will get your next fix.  So as I am sitting here on the couch, I am getting the antsy feeling and all I can think about is:

When can I run again? I need just a little run, just a little something to get me thru the week.   I could go out for a two mile quickie no one would know

Truth is I WOULD KNOW!  My shin would remind me about a mile in that I should be resting it. If my shin could talk I am sure it would say something along the lines of "hey stupid we need to rest take us home!"

So instead I am surfing around on the net looking at shoes, races, training exercises and then I came across something that looked rather intriguing.  I think this would grab some attention :)

These flashy leave nothing to the eye tights are made by Black Milk and cost $75 plus S&H, but regular running tights rum about the same price.   I noticed on the web sit that when things are sold out they are "gone forever" so I wouldn't want to wait too long. With summer right around the corner, I am not sure how many more times I would be able to wear these, but it sure would be a lot of fun! Perhaps at the next hash or the Denver Marathon!

How about you?  Do you have any "flashy" fun running clothes that make you stand out?  If so what are they?

”I run in the snow, rain, wind and heat. I run until I cannot run anymore then I run some more. I run thru the blur of tears, the aches and pains and then I keep going. I have more running clothes than some running stores, I know Fartklet does not mean like it sounds. I go to bed at 9pm; I get up early just to do it all over again. Why do I do this? Because I am a runner and that's who I am"

Neilson's April Challenge

When I got to the April Neilson Challenge I noticed a slight chill in the air, my car said it was 37 degrees.  Not to bad I forwent the jacket, figured I'd get to hot. I was running a little late so I jogged down to the start like where Kim was waiting for me. While Kim and I were chatting I noticed someone from the Saint Patrick's day run that we took a picture with. I went up and asked

"excuse me but did you wear the green Mohawk wig at the Saint Patrick's Day run?"

Turns out it was. The three of us got to chatting and I found out that he is a regular running in the community and was planning to do the Pikes Peak Ascent.  Kim was thinking of doing this and has tried to talk me in to it, but I don't think I a ready for that, maybe next year.  I already have enough of the docket for the year.

While I was standing around I tried to sync my watch but it was being a stinker and wouldn't connect to the signal so I am unsure of my split times.  When I passed mile marker one I looked up and saw that my 1 mile time was 09:20-something.  Little bit of a shoker, and I felt great!  I had a good rhythm and decided that I would try to pick up the pace and let the trail take my legs.  Here I am coming into my second Mile.

When I came in the finish shoot I was pleasantly surprised that I was seeing 18 minutes!  I kinda wished I had my watch then, I would have tried to push it a little harder. "You can do anything for ten minutes".  As you can see I am thinking hard today. It also looks like my heal strike and posture is getting better.

Could be the new shoes that gave me great times, I did notice that they were not slipping around in the gravel like my brooks usually do.  Who knows?!? It was just a great day for an early run.


”I run in the snow, rain, wind and heat. I run until I cannot run anymore then I run some more. I run thru the blur of tears, the aches and pains and then I keep going. I have more running clothes than some running stores, I know Fartklet does not mean like it sounds. I go to bed at 9pm; I get up early just to do it all over again. Why do I do this? Because I am a runner and that's who I am"

I Tri.....(ed)

I can officially call myself a triathlete! On Sunday I competed on my first triathlon.  I found this to be tough in some aspects, but just like running your first 5K race you realise that it was doable.

Swimming was not my strong point.  As some of you may know I have a slight phobia of water and the idea of swimming more then the 200m swim is a little scary, but I am sure with the right training and maybe a little liquid courage I could work up to longer distances, but let's not get a head of myself! One step at a time.
Switching between the swim and the bike was my hardest transition.  Trying to change while you are half wet and and dry it tough.  Everything stuck to me, especially my sports bra, I couldn't get the stupid thing down my back.  It was like the sucker wanted to stay bunched up and wouldn't come down.  I was seconds away from sucking it up and just going with it, but this being my first race, I decided I would go for comfit and forgo my overall times.

The bike was my best event! I felt like I was pumping out great times.  I was slightly worried about my ars getting sore, but guess all those spinning classes have paid off!  Very glad that I bit the bullet and got myself shoes that clip in.  The push/pull that you get from proper shoes is AWESOME!

Running was a little harder then expected.  My quads were really tight form the bike so it took about a mile to get my legs to loosen up.  Once I got into my rhythm, I did okay 33minutes which is not that bad and not that far off from my normal 5K times.

Overall I felt great! I was a little tired and hungry after the event. So I sat with a friend and had a chicken wrap and laid by the pool, this was a great way to end the day.  Thank you Karin!

Swim 200m in 00:02:43
Bike 10M in 00:20:00
Run 5K: 00:33:00
Total time: 01:03:00


”I run in the snow, rain, wind and heat. I run until I cannot run anymore then I run some more. I run thru the blur of tears, the aches and pains and then I keep going. I have more running clothes than some running stores, I know Fartklet does not mean like it sounds. I go to bed at 9pm; I get up early just to do it all over again. Why do I do this? Because I am a runner and that's who I am"

My First Time

I will admit I was a little hesitant about "it".  I've thought about "it" a few times.  Most of the time it was the heat of the moment on a trail or on a hike when I wished I would have done "it" already.

I was told that I should give it a try and see what I think about it. I was warned to start out slow and to only do it for a short time, because I might be sore for a little bit; but the more I do it the less it will hurt.  So after checking out a few different ones, I decided that I was finally ready to do "it".  Now I can finally understand what everyone is talking about.  I don't know what I was holding out for?  It wasn't that bad at all.

What is it that I am talking about?

The all mighty pair of trail running shoes!

Aren't these the sexiest pair of shoes you have ever seen?

I gave em' a spin the other day and I was highly impressed with the over all traction of these bad boys. The trail I was on had a few tight switchbacks that were going down hill.  I mean one wrong slip and I would have fallen down and gotten hurt pretty bad.  I wouldn't have died or anything, but I wouldn't have been happy.

Some specs on these Salomon Speedcross 3 Trail Running shoes for Women.  The shoes are pretty flexible and light weight.  They weigh 9.2 oz which happen to be slightly lighter then my Brooks.  I felt like my foot "stuck" to the trail even in the loose gravel sections.  Before I got to the trail I tested them out on hard surfaces.  I do not recommend this, mostly because you will wear out the soles of the shoes and when you are dropping a bit of cash on shoes you want them to last!

These happen to be my first pair of quick lace shoes.  I was a little worried that the lace would give out and the shoe would loosen.  The lace stayed tight and the "hugging" feeling I got from the lace was great. My other shoes are good too, but I never had the hug that these shoes give you.

I plan to taken these out this weekend and give em a go on the Incline.  I have a feeling that I will get way better traction on the Barr Trail then I did in my Brooks, good bye slipping and sliding hello traction!

So Jeff I  may have just officially crossed over and joined the trail running community.  You can thank Kim for that, she said I would covert soon enough. 

 

”I run in the snow, rain, wind and heat. I run until I cannot run anymore then I run some more. I run thru the blur of tears, the aches and pains and then I keep going. I have more running clothes than some running stores, I know Fartklet does not mean like it sounds. I go to bed at 9pm; I get up early just to do it all over again. Why do I do this? Because I am a runner and that's who I am"